The constitutional amendment would let the governor move judges from the 18th Judicial District into the 23rd Judicial District
Tom Raynes
Posted inCrime and Courts, News, Politics and Government
The ACLU has become a powerful player at the Colorado Capitol. But at what cost?
The ACLU of Colorado team credited with helping pass a slate of sweeping criminal justice reform measures abruptly resigned this month amid questions about whether the organization — powered by a jump in donations and a favorable political climate — was too aggressive in wielding its new status as one of the most influential groups […]
Posted inSun Investigation
Colorado’s 2015 law changing how officer-involved shootings are reviewed still lets police agencies investigate themselves
Five years ago, Colorado lawmakers passed a bill that banned police departments and sheriff’s officers from investigating themselves without any outside assistance after one of their officers or deputies shoots someone. But here’s the hitch: the legislation, Senate Bill 219, specifically states “shooting,” meaning it doesn’t apply if someone dies at the hands of law […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, News, Politics and Government
The Colorado attorney general’s review of Elijah McClain’s death is unprecedented. Here’s how it may go.
Gov. Jared Polis’ decision to appoint Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser as special prosecutor to review the death last year of Elijah McClain after an encounter with Aurora police and paramedics is extraordinary. In fact, it’s so unusual that experts can’t remember a similar instance in which a district attorney’s decision-making received a second look […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, News, Politics and Government
Colorado Democrats unveil sweeping police accountability bill in response to George Floyd’s death
Democratic state lawmakers on Tuesday began to unveil a sweeping bill aimed at increasing law enforcement accountability in Colorado by collecting racial profiling data, ensuring officers hold each other accountable and making it easier for the public to file lawsuits against police. The measure, which could be introduced as soon as Wednesday, also would beef […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, News, Politics and Government
Colorado poised to revisit murder law that can send people to prison for life — even when they didn’t kill anyone
Jeff Johnson. Lisl Auman. Curtis A. Brooks. All three were convicted of first-degree murder in Colorado, which carries an automatic life sentence without the possibility of parole. None of them killed anyone. But Colorado’s felony murder law, similar to statutes across the nation, allows for defendants to be charged and found guilty of first-degree murder […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, News, Politics and Government
A new Colorado law makes possessing thousands of fatal fentanyl doses a misdemeanor. Prosecutors are worried.
Colorado’s top federal prosecutor is sounding the alarm over a new state law that potentially makes possessing thousands of fatal doses of synthetic opioids a misdemeanor, saying it sends the wrong message as law enforcement and health officials are warning the public about the substances’ danger. State lawmakers earlier this year passed a bill that […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, News, Politics and Government
A change to Colorado’s DUI testing system has stoked fears of dropped cases and could shutter a private business
Big questions are swirling around Colorado’s ability to carry out blood tests and prosecute offenders in driving under the influence cases after a policy switch that could jeopardize cases and put a private lab out of business. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation on July 1 began testing blood drawn during DUI investigations for free in […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, News, Politics and Government
From bail reform to restoring voting rights and sealing records, Colorado’s criminal justice system is getting a makeover
Heather McBroom’s guilty plea to a felony drug charge in 2000 has proved to be an unshakeable burden, no matter how much success she has had in her professional life, now as a paralegal and process server. She can’t volunteer at her child’s school with a criminal record. She can’t be a recreational league coach. […]